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Economic Affairs - Approved Panel Minutes - 24 Janaury 2007

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Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel Meeting No. 33

24th January 2007 Blampied Room, States Building

Present   Deputy G. P. Southern , Chairman

Connétable M. K. Jackson Deputy J. A. Martin

Deputy K. C. Lewis

Apologies   Deputy A. Breckon

In attendance  Nathan Fox, Scrutiny Officer

 

Ref Back

Agenda matter

Action

1.

Minutes

The  Minutes  of  the  meeting  held  on  10th  January  2006  were considered and approved.

NJF

2.

Item 2 10th Jan 2007

Work Programme for 2007  

The  Panel  recalled  that  it  had  previously  considered  several options for the next topic to be undertaken, and that it had deferred the decision until this meeting.

The Panel received a briefing from the officer in respect of the Economic  Development  Department's  retail  strategy,  and  the objections raised by the Chamber of Commerce to the proposed increase in retail space in the Island.

The Panel was also briefed on work carried out concerning the benefit of a UK supermarket setting up in the island.

The Panel considered that further details should be provided as to the implications of the retail strategy, the arrival of a UK chain retailer, and the Chamber of Commerce objections.

The  officer  was  directed  to  fully  scope  the  subject,  and  to provisionally plan a 10 – 12 week review, to be considered by the Panel before its next meeting.

Deputy Lewis expressed concerns that the proposed increase in retail space might affect his business, and that this might preclude him from taking part in a review on the subject.

The Chairman advised that he remain part of the process for the moment and ask the Bailiff for a ruling on the matter at a later date. It was agreed that Deputy Lewis 's interests were marginal.

NJF

 

3.

Item 3 10th Jan 2007

Letter to the Economic Development Minister in respect of a proposed finance briefing

The Panel recalled that it had directed that a letter be sent to the Economic Development Minister requesting that a briefing on the finance  industry  should  be  provided  to the  Panel  at  one  of  its regular meetings, as early as possible in 2007.

The Panel was informed that no response had yet been received, and the officer was directed to pursue the matter.

NJF

4.

Item 4 10th Jan 2007

Dairy Review – draft report

The  Panel  recalled  that  it  had  delegated  authority  to   Deputy Breckon as the Chairman of the Economic Affairs sub-Panel (Dairy Review) to finalise the report and bring it to the States in the name of the Panel. Deputy Breckon was also to act as rapporteur in any debate on the subject.

The Panel noted that the report was now completed,. And would be presented to the States as S.R.4/2007 on 25th January 2007.

The Panel noted that there were comments to be lodged by the Sub-Panel on two propositions, P.170/2006 – Draft Howard Davis Farm  (Partial  Abrogation  of  Covenant)  (Jersey)  Law 200-and P.5/2007   Relocation  of  Jersey  Dairy  -  investigation  into alternative sites'.

The Panel delegated authority to Deputy Breckon as Chairman of the Sub-Panel to approve these comments, subject to approval by the Sub-Panel.

AB, NJF

5.

Item 5 10th Jan 2007

Jersey Telecom review briefing

The Panel recalled that the Economic Affairs Sub-Panel (Telecoms Privatisation) had encountered difficulties regarding the obtaining of relevant  documentation  from  the  Treasury  and  Resources Department,  from  the  Economic  Development  Department  and from the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority. In particular, the Sub-Panel had been informed that it would not be able to access the report of the Economic Advisor until 8th February 2007. Having analyzed material received to date, the Sub-Panel had determined that, without access to the report of the Economic Adviser, the Scrutiny Panel would simply be unable to present to the States a comprehensive assessment of the proposal to sell Jersey Telecom.

The report was therefore no longer to be to be presented to the States on 30th January 2007, and the Chairman commented that he  would  inform  the  States  of  this  by  means  of  a  suitable statement, to be made on 30th January 2007. The Panel endorsed the  Chairman's  approach  and  noted  that  the  Chairman  would circulate a copy of his statement to Panel members on or before 29th January 2007.

GS, IC

 

6.

Date of next meeting

The Panel agreed to hold its next meeting on 7th February 2007.

 

Signed

. Chairman Deputy G. P. Southern Economic Affairs Scrutiny Panel


Date .